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Hagoromo Shirts: Everyday Craft, Made in Japan Since 1954
Hagoromo Shirts Co., Ltd. (羽衣シャツ株式会社) was founded in 1954 in Sumida-ku, Tokyo—an area with a long history of craftsmanship. It’s the kind of neighborhood where things are still made carefully, by hand, and where skill is built over years rather than rushed. For more than 70 years, Hagoromo has focused on what they describe as “special everyday clothing within reach.” In other words, clothes that feel good to wear, are made with intention, and naturally fit into daily life. These aren’t pieces meant to sit in a closet waiting for a special occasion—they’re meant to be worn, washed, and lived...
Christmas and New Year in Japan: A Special Season with Samurai Market
The holiday season in Japan is truly unique. While Christmas and New Year are celebrated very differently from many Western countries, they come together to create a beautiful mix of modern fun and deep tradition. At Samurai Market, we love this time of year because it reflects exactly what we stand for: tradition, culture, and meaningful details. Let us take you on a small journey through how Japan celebrates Christmas and New Year, and how you can bring a piece of that spirit into your own home. Christmas in Japan: Lights, Romance, and Small Joys Christmas in Japan is not a...
Christmas in Japan: Traditions That Make It Truly Unique
Christmas in Japan may look familiar at first glance — bright lights, decorated trees, festive music — but the meaning behind the holiday is very different from what most North Americans expect. In Japan, Christmas is not a religious or family-centered celebration. Instead, it has evolved into a secular, romantic, and highly commercial seasonal event, shaped by modern culture, marketing, and aesthetics. Understanding how Christmas is celebrated in Japan offers a fascinating look at how global traditions adapt when they cross cultural borders. Christmas in Japan Is Not a Religious Holiday One of the most important things to know is that...
From Feudal Japan to Your Hands: The Allure of Japanese Hand Fans
Imagine yourself as a noble in feudal Japan, lounging in a silk kimono, sipping matcha under a cherry blossom tree. The summer heat is creeping in, but you’re unfazed—why? Because you’ve got a sleek, hand-painted fan fluttering in your grip, keeping you cool and classy. Fast forward to today, and that same vibe is yours for the taking with Samurai Market’s hand fan collection. These aren’t just fans—they’re slices of history, bursts of elegance, and samurai swagger all rolled into one. Let’s dive into why Japanese hand fans are the ultimate summer must-have and decor flex, straight from the Land...
The World of Manga: Exploring Japan’s Comic Industry
The Japanese comic industry, universally known as manga (漫画), is a cultural and commercial juggernaut that has shaped storytelling and entertainment worldwide. From serialized tales in magazines to globally celebrated graphic novels, manga’s influence is profound and far-reaching. This blog dives into the unique features of the manga industry, its colossal scale, and the reasons it commands such a massive following. Distinctive Features of the Manga Industry Manga stands out for its incredible diversity and accessibility. It spans genres like shounen (少年) (targeted at young boys, e.g., Naruto), shojo (少女) (for young girls, e.g., Sailor Moon), seinen (青年) (for adult...